Sill construction



Jan. l0, 1956 F. F. LARSEN SILL CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 25, 1953 mma/N A? fa/@55N INVENTOR. BY X77 United States Patent @thee 2,730,209 Patented Jan. 10,k 1956 SILL CGNSTRUCTON Franklin F. Larsen, Reseda, Caiif. Application `lanuary 23, 1953, Seriai No. 332,896 12 Claims. (Cl. 189-34) erection of' buildings including homes, the positioning andmounti'ng of wall-s is, of course an ever present factor. Walls may vary in width, length, and may be either interior or exterior walis. The present invention is directed to a mounting; unit or sill combination capable of carrying walls of varying thicknesses and lengths, and whether positioned inteiiorly of the building or as an exterior wall.

With an appreciation of the problems. present in the fabrication of buildings, and particularly in the erection of wall structures, it is a purpose of the present invention to provide a new and improved wall-supporting unit by which the wall is fixed upon the supporting floor or surface.

1t is another object of the invention to provide a fabricated' sill unit by which walls of varying thickness are ixedly but removably supported upon a supporting floor.

A still further object ofthe invention is to provide a sill unit inwhich a supported wall is clamped' in position relative to a lixed i'loor-supportingrunner, and in which decorative appearance faces arefrictionally held in place.

These and other more specific objects will' appear upon reading the following specilication and claims and upon considering'inconnection therewith the attached' drawing to whichthey relate;

Referring now tothe drawing:

Figure l` is a vertical section through a wall-rnounting sill unit constructed in accordance with the present'invention and of the type adapted to support an exterior wall;

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of the exterior sill tie down clip;

Figure 3 is a view in perspective of the base tension clipembodiedV in the unit of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical section similar to Figure l showing amodified construction supporting an interior wall; and

Figure 5 is an interior sill tie'down clip.

VReferring again to the drawing, a wall-supporting sill unit constructed in accordance with the present invention is indicated generally by the' reference character 10 and isillustrated. in Figure 1 supporting a wall 11 upon'a floor 1,2. The constructionl includes an elongated floor'runner 13 secured iixedly to floor 12 by suitable means, such as unshown bolts, and whichis itself generally U-shaped in section with a top opening 14 between inwardly extending overhanging flanges or partial walls 16. For' purposesv of lightness in weight and saving of metal runner 13- may be formed at spaced intervals with: cutout apertures 17. Seated-in: runner 13is the sill. tie down clip 2.1 illustrated in. perspective in Figure 2. Clip 21 includes a central vertical run 22 at the upper edge of which is positioned anoutwardly'extending iiange or shelf 23 and at the lower end of which is positioned a substantially'square-sectioned box configuration indicated generally by the reference character 24'.

Box or section 24 is seen to include av relatively narrow horizontal or transverse run 26 extended from central run 22 and which forms a partial top wall. From run 26 extends downwardly a run 27 which is parallel'to central run 22 and suliicientlyhigh. as to abut the inner edge of partial wall 16 of the runner' 1'3 whenthe bottom run 28 of the box 24 rests upon the bottom wall of the runner. The box structure is Completed by a run 29 extended parallel to run 27 but of a height sufiicientl'yless than the height of run 27 as to enable it to extendV into contact with the underside of a partial wall 16, as clearly illustrated in Figure 2f. The arrangement ofruns 26, 27', 28 and 29 is such that an opening i's formed between run 29 and run 26 so-that the clip can be inserted into the runner 13 by hooking the run 29 below thev right-hand' partial wall 16 ofthe runner, as viewed.' in, Figure 1', and then pivoting the clip, counterclockwise aslviewed in Figure I, until it assumes the vertical position there illustrated. Run 27 then contacts the edge of one partial wall 16 while run- 29 extends under the other. With the clip so positionedl it is clear that further pivotal' movement in a counterclockwisedirection, as' viewed in Figure I, is pre.- ventedl by thev abutment of the; run 29` with the wall. I6'. With the clip 21 in positionl as` illustrated" in Figure 1 it is also clear that llangel 23 at the upper endof verticall run 22 provides a supporting surface or shelf' for the panel or wall 11.

Cooperating with the tie down clip 21' in the support of the wall 11, and also cooperating with the run 29 to prevent pivotall movement of the clip, is a clamping el'ement indicated generally by the reference character 30'. Element 30 includes a central vertical' run 31' extended parallel to andv abutting the central run 22 of clipV 21 and from the upper and lower extremities of which extend transverse runs32 and 33, respectively. Run 33 rests on the top of partial wall 16 under which thev vertical run 29 of box 24 extends while the'horizontal; run 32 has itsupper surface extended in the same plane as the. upper surface of ange 23 of the clipk and cooperates therewith in supporting the wall 11 as illustrated; From. the outside of horizontal run 32 of clamping element 30' extends a vertical run 34 which abuts the side. of'wall 1:1` near` its base and prevents displacement to the right as viewed in` Figure l.

To retain wall 11 upon the supporting surfacesprovided by shelves 23 and 32 there is provided an exterior closure plate, indicated generally by the referencecharacter 35, which extends longitudinally parallel to runner 13 andv has a height such that" itl extends from adjacent the wall 11 in a run 36 downwardly to. a position ad jacent the supporting' base 22 in a run 37;. The runs 36? and 37 may, if preferred, be joined by an inclined' central run 38 andk an abutment block 39 is provided between the run 37 and the lioor 12 which may be of. varying thickness depending upon the lateral extensionI of the wall 11-` relative tothe left-handv side of the floor 12. A U-sectioned bracket 41 is lixedly secured,l as by welding, to the run 36 of' plate 35 and on its inner side is formed with` an aperture 42. A thread-forming element 43 is seated upon the bracket 4-1, its llexiblev boltw seating lingers 44 receiving threads ofa bol't'46' the shank of which extends through aperturesv 47' and 48 in the runs; 22l and 31, respectively, of the tie down. clip' 21 and the clampingelement 30. The head 49` of? thebol-"t 46 is slotted as to receive a screwdriver andE is positioned inv abutting relationship tol the run- 31?. Tightenng of the'A boltv 46 effects the;` drawing of theA Ulbracket 4I Q inwardly and the closure plate 35 against the wall 11 and the base 12, as illustrated.

Closure plate 35 protectsv the outer side of the sill construction and provides a pleasing appearance surface. The interior surface also requires a closure and this is provided by a snap-on base, indicated generally by the reference character Sil, which includes a vertical side or run 51 of a height sutiicient to extend from the lioor 12 to a point adjacent the lower end of wall 11. Base t) is provided at its lower end with a turned-under supporting ange 52 and at its upper end with inwardly extending run 53 from the inner side of which extends a downwardly and outwardly inclined run 54 terminating in an inwardly liared narrow run 54. Base 50 is 'clamped in position by a base tension clip indicated generally by the reference character 55 which is U-sectioned and includes a base run 56 seated upon the run 33 of clamping element 30, an inner side or run 57 which is apertured and through which the shank of bolt 46 extends and which is clamped to the run 31 by the head 49 of the bolt, and an apertured outer side or run 58 sloped upwardly and inwardly and ending in an outwardly extending flange or run 59. Clip 55 is, as the name tension clip indicates, resiliently flexible at outer run 58 which is adapted to exert a retaining force upon being flexed slightly to the right as viewed in Figurevl. The relationship is such that base 50 maybe forced downwardly with its inner inclined run 54 sliding inside of the inclined run 58 of tension clip 55. The latter cams the base to the left, as viewed in Figure 1, and against the lower extremity of wall 11 'and more specifically against the run 34 of the clamping 'element.30, the supporting ange 52 at the bottom of the base finally moving into contact with the floor 12. The assembly of the wall or panel-supporting sill construction constructed in accordance with this first embodiment of the invention is believed to be clear. The runner 13 is first fixedly secured to the supporting floor andthereafter the tie down clip 24 is positioned in place by being threaded into the runner as described. Clamping element 30 is next positioned as illustrated and the bolt 46 positioned in placewith the tension clip 55. The exterior closure plate 35 is then moved into position and the bolt 46 rotated by means of a screw driver extended through the aperture in the run 58 of base tension clip 55. Rotation of bolt 46 draws the closure plate 35 into place against the Wall 11 and floor 12 and at the same time clamps wall 11 between the closure plate 35 and run 34 of clamping element 30, the wall resting, as previously described, upon the horizontal anges or runs 23 and 32 of the tie down clip 24 and clamping element 30, respectively. Upon bolt 46 being completely tightened snap-on base 50 is then positioned as described and the operation is completed. Disassembly is the reverse operation. Y

The length of the various parts depends upon the requirements of the particular installation and upon design. The runner 13 may be a continuous element secured at spaced intervals to the supporting floor or, if preferred, it may be formed of spaced units. The tie down clip 21 and the clamping element 30 are relatively short and usually of the same length, a typical form for the tie down clip being illustrated in perspective in Figure 2. The base tension clip 55 is also usually a relatively short element and may be a stamping. The exterior closure plate 35 and the base 50, however, are continuous elements which in the usual installation extend the full length of the wall 11 while the other units can be relatively short units positioned at intervals along the length of the wall.

Turning now to the second preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 4'and 5, a construction is illustrated which is similar to the first embodiment of the invention but which differs therefrom in certain regards as will be specified. As distinguished from the first embodiment of the invention, which cornprised a sill unit adapted for the mounting of an exterior wall, the second embodiment is primarily intended to mount an interior wall. The structure is like the first-described embodiment in that a wall or panel 11 is supported upon a floor 12 which carries the runner 13.

The single tie down clip 21 of the first embodiment has been replaced by a pair of clips, indicated generally in each instance by the reference character 70. Each clip 7G comprises a vertical run 72 from the lower end of which extends a horizontal run 73 ending in a downwardly extending run 74 parallel to run 72. The height of run 74 is such that the clip is adapted to be positioned comfortably within the runner 13 with the run 74 adjacent the side wall or run 17 of the runner. Each horizontal run 73 of each clip has a lateral or horizontal extension such that the two clips 70 can be positioned in a snug side-by-side relationship within the runner 13, as is illustrated in Figure 4, in which they cooperate to position themselves with the runs 72 extending vertically upwardly midway between the edges of horizontal partial walls 16 of the runner 13. A pair of clamping elements 30 are used in the present embodiment and are positioned upon opposite sides of the vertical runs 72 of the tie down clips 70. Clamping elements 30 are identical to the elements 30 of the first embodiment and their lower runs 33 rest in each instance upon the horizontal partial top walls 16 of the runners 13 while their upper horizontal runs32 function to support the wall 11 between their vertical outer runs 34.

The vertical runs 31 of the clamping elements 30 and the vertical runs 72 of the tie down clips 70 are formed with apertures which combine to form a transverse bore 76 seating a headed bolt 78 which replaces the bolt 46 of the first embodiment. Bolt 73, it is to be noted, is much shorter than bolt 46 and its head serves to clamp a base tension clip 55 in place which clip is identical to the clip bearing the same reference character in the first embodiment. The threaded shank of bolt 78 extends through the inner vertical run 57 of a second clip 55 and is seated in the thread-forming element 79 carried by that run. In this second embodiment of the invention, snapon bases 50 are positioned upon both sides of the sill unit and each is retained in place by a base tension clip 55 which cooperates with the base in the manner of the first embodiment.

As in the case of the first embodiment, it is believed the assembly of this form is obvious from its construction. The length of the parts may vary as described in connection with the first embodiment but a difference is present in the positioning of the tie down clips 70. In this embodiment the clips 70 will first be positioned at spaced points in the runner 13 and will then be displaced longitudinally into side-by-side cooperating abutment as illustrated. The positioning of the clamping elements 30 in the positions shown and the securing of the parts in their assembled relationship by the tightening of the bolt 78 by inserting a screw driver through an aperture in the right-hand clip 55 follows the alignment of clips 70 as well as the positioning of a snap-on base 50 upon each side of the wall rather than upon one side is as in the first embodiment.

While the particular apparatus herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative 'of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A combination sill construction for supporting a Wall comprising a runner xedly secured to a supporting door, a tie down clip interlocked with said runner and extended upwardly therefrom and provided with a supporting shelf to support said wall', a clamping element resting upon said runner and extended upwardlyl adjacent said'clip and provided at its upper end with a supporting shelf: for said wall and with a verticalclamping run adapted to abut the side of said Wall, securing'means to secure said clamping element to said tie down clip, and clamping means, including a run adapted to abut the side of saidwall spaced from said clamping run of said clamping element, to position said wallon said supporting shelves.

2. A sill construction adapted to support a wall upon a, supporting surface comprising a hollow runner ixedly secured to said surface and formed at its top with inwardly extending partial walls, a tie down clip resting in said runner and extended under one of said partial walls to prevent pivotal movement in one direction, said clip extended upwardly from said runner in a vertical run having a horizontal wall-supporting shelf at its upper end, a clamping element having a vertical run extended adjacent the vertical run of said clip, a lower horizontal run resting upon said runner, an upper horizontal run cooperating with the shelf of said clip to support a wall, and an upper vertical run extended adjacent said wall in abutting contact with the side thereof, means to secure said vertical run of said clamping element and said vertical run of said tie down clip in adjacency and in contact, said clamping element cooperating to prevent the pivotal movement of said tie down clip in said runner in one direction, and clamping means, including a run adapted to abut the side of said wall spaced from said clamping run of said clamping element, to position said wall on said supporting shelves.

3. The construction recited in claim 2 characterized in that said clamping means comprises an exterior closure plate which extends between an outer edge of said supporting base and the side of said wall and opposite the vertical run of said tie down clip, said closure plate carrying a U-shaped bracket with a threaded seat, and in that said means securing the vertical run of said clamping element to the vertical run of said tie down clip cornprises a threaded bolt which extends through said runs and seats in said U-bracket carried by said closure plate.

4. The construction recited in claim 2 characterized in that a tension clip including a vertical run extended adjacent the vertical run of said clamping element and an upwardly and inwardly inclined outer run spaced therefrom is iixedly secured to said clamping element, and in that au appearance base extends between the upper vertical run of said clamping element and said floor and includes an inwardly positioned vertical inclined run extended inside the outer run of said tension clip to be retained in position thereby.

5. In a wall-supporting sill construction, a generally U-shaped runner iixedly secured to a supporting oor and formed in its open top side with vinwardly extending horizontal partial walls, a tie down clip positioned in said runner and including a vertical run from the upper end of which extends a horizontal wall-supporting flange and at the lower end of which is positioned a generally box-like hollow construction, square in section, and including one vertical side which extends under and in abutting relationship to the underside of one of said partial walls of said runner to prevent said tie down clip from tilting in one direction, a clamping element including a vertical run extended adjacent and in abutting contact with the vertical run of said tie down clip and formed at its upper and lower ends with horizontal runs the lower of which rests upon one of said partial walls of said runner and the upper of which cooperates with the horizontal wall-supporting ange of said tie down clip to provide a supporting surface for said wall, said clamping element also including an outer' vertical run at the outer edge of said horizontal upper run positioned as to contact the side of a supported wall, an exterior closure plate extended between the outer side of said iloor and the outer side of said supported wall and includingv au inwardly extending U-sectioned bracket formed upon its inner side with a seat for a threaded bolt, a threaded bolt extended through the vertical runs of said tie down clip and said clamping element with its threaded shank seated in the inner side of said U-bracket of said exterior closure plate and functioning to draw said clamping element against said tie down clip and said exterior closure plate against the sides. of said oor and of said wall a base tension clip secured to the vertical run of said clamp.- ing element and extended away from said exterior closure plate. and formed at its outer side with a slightly resilient upwardly extending camming wall, and an appearance closure base extended between said Hoor and the lower edge of said wall and including an inner downwardly extending slightly inclined run seated adjacent the clamping wall of said clip and retained in place thereby.

6. A sill construction adapted to support a wall upon a supporting oor and including a rigid hollow runner the open top of which is partially closed along the sides by inwardly extending horizontal partial walls, a pair of tie down clips seated within said runner and each including a vertical run extended centrally upwardly from said runner and in abutting contact with the corresponding run of the other tie down clip, said clips also including horizontally extending runs extended under the partial walls of said runner to prevent the displacement upwardly of said tie down clips with respect to said runner, clamping elements positioned upon the opposite sides of said vertical extensions of said tie down clips, each of said clamping elements including a vertical run in abutment with a vertical run of one of said tie down clips, said clamping elements also including a horizontal run in contact with the upper surface of one of said partial walls, an upper horizontal run forming a supporting flange for the bottom of a wall to be supported, and an outer vertical wall adapted to abut the side of a supported wall, appearance closure bases extended upon opposite sides of said runner and between the lower extremity of a supported wall and said oor, each of said bases being formed with an inner downwardly extending run, and base tension clips secured upon opposite sides of the vertical runs of said tie down clips and each including an upwardly extending outer run extended along the outer side of the inner downwardly extending run of said base and drawing said base inwardly against the side of a supported wall with the bottom of said base in contact with a supporting surface.

7. In a combination sill construction for supporting a wally comprising a runner fixedly secured to a supporting Hoor, a tie down clip interlocked with said runner and extended upwardly therefrom, a clamping element resting upon said runner and extended upwardly adjacent said clip and provided at its upper end with a supporting shelf for said wall and with a vertical clamping run adapted to abut the side of said wall, means including a run abutting the opposite side of said wall from said clamping run of said clamping element to retain said wall on said supporting shelf and against said clamping run, and screw means to draw said clamping element against said clip and the run of said means including a run against the wall.

8. In a combination sill construction for supporting a wall comprising a runner lixedly secured to a supporting oor, a tie down clip interlocked with said runner and comprising a horizontal run and a vertical run extended inside said runner and a vertical run above said runner, a clamping element resting upon said runner and extended vertically upwardly adjacent the vertical run of said clip and provided at its upper end with a supporting shelf for said wall and with a vertical clamping run adapted to abut the side of said wall, means including a run abutting the opposite side of said wall from said clamping run of said clamping element to retain said wall on said supporting shelf and against said clamping run, and screw means to draw said clamping element against said clip and the run of said means including a run against the wall.

9. The construction recited in claim 8 characterized in that said means to retain said wall on said supporting shelf and against said clamping run comprises a clamping elcment identical to said clamping element of said claim.

l0. The construction recited in claim 8 characterized in that said means to retain said wall on said supporting shelf and against said clamping run also includes a run adapted to abut the edge of Said oor supporting said runner.

11. The construction recited in claim 8 characterized in that a base tension clip is clamped relative to said tie down clip and in that an appearance base is resiliently drawn against said wall by said base tension clip and extends between said wall and said floor.

12. The construction recited in claim 11 characterized in that a pair of said tension clips are provided one upon each side of the vertical run of said tie down clip and in that an appearance base is held against both sides of said wall by said tension clips.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,863,722 Levene June 21, 1932 

